What to pile on your plate when it’s already stacked
- posted: 04 Oct. 2007
- scrollspecial@byui.edu
Stephanie Wadsworth / Genesis Photo
Briggs Depew, a senior studying economics; Ryan Scott, a senior studying math; and Chris Lundeen, a sophomore studying construction management, enjoy their lunch of pizza at Tomassitos in the Manwaring Center
The mountain of textbooks looms on one corner of the desk; homework masses emerge from the other. There are 30 minutes until class, two tests to take and no time for lunch. What’s a college student to eat when there isn’t enough time?
Students look for the quick and easy, but what about the foods that will help the mind and body perform well in every aspect of life? What is the best to eat? Is there a nutritional silver bullet?
“I don’t think there are really special tricks. It all boils down to principles, and the Word of Wisdom is at the heart of it,” said Jay Keller, a professor of home and family department.
Students should be eating a variety of foods appropriating balance and moderation in all things.
“Students need to be getting regular meals,” Keller said. “At least get your three meals in for the day.”
Irregular class schedules, part-time jobs and variable homework loads can bring about poor eating habits. Despite these difficulties, it is important for students to find time for nutrition.
Studies have found that “males seem to consume more food overall and thus have a higher energy (calorie) intake. Female college students tend to eat too few breads, grains and dairy products,” according to www.faqs.org.
These foods are among the essentials for fueling the brain to perform proper functions.
The Franklin Institute Online at www.fi.edu emphasizes the need for meat, poultry, fish and beans as part of a balanced diet.
These foods help the brain cells communicate, allowing humans to think and feel and enhancing emotions, mood and thought processes.
Students can remember to get the needed nutrients — “it all boils down to those simple things,” Keller said. 
